Communion

[Willo]

G'day,

I got told that the salvation army doesn't do communion. Is this true?

If so why?

God Bless

 

[something from the fridge]

We have communion occasionally, normally at easter, and only about once every 2 or 3 years.

My understanding is that we don't focus on the physical symbolism (we also rarely do water baptisms) but focus on the spiritual side of God.

someone correct me if i'm wrong

 

[Warren Peace]

The Army did away with it many years ago because too many people would come to church and take communion for the drink. Since drinking alcohol is against the Salvation Army Articles of War, and since communion is not really necessary to remember Christ by, they removed it from the service.

Blessings...

 

[elm0]

The Salvation Army definitely has nothing against people taking comminion. My wife and I took communion as part of our wedding ceremony, using grape juice rather than wine.

The positional statement of the SA on communion (and baptism) can be found at http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/aboutus/positional/sacraments.asp

 

[Willo]

But wouldn't it be biblical for the army to do communion, since Jesus said do this in rememberance of me?

Not saying use wine, but grape juice.

(Not looking for debate)

 

[chickette]

But wouldn't it be biblical for the army to do communion, since Jesus said do this in rememberance of me?

Not saying use wine, but grape juice.

(Not looking for debate)

As something from the fridge said before, we do still do it, usually at Easter time and we do use grape juice. So it hasn't been ruler out completely. It is still done occasionally. If that made sense....

 

[elm0]

I see the Army stance as being the best of any church I've been involve in. It puts no great emphasis on communion as some churches do, but it also doesn't abolish it. When it is done, it is more of a reminder, more significant IMHO, than other churches I have been in where it was a weekly or mothly 'ritual'. It became so usual that for many it lost any significance. If that makes sense.

 

[Willo]

I see your point

 

[Abiel]

For my Corps, it would usually take the form of a fellowship meal. The last time we did anything like communion was for Maunday Thursday. It was also the first time for our Corps!

 

[cenimo]

I remember a passage in a book abot SA that when the Methodists stopped letting them use their facilities they dropped baptism and communion, simply because they no longer had a place to do them.

 

[elm0]

I remember a passage in a book abot SA that when the Methodists stopped letting them use their facilities they dropped baptism and communion, simply because they no longer had a place to do them.

That doesn't sound right to me. If the Salvation Army were still able to have meeting somewhere, then why could they not have communion wherever they met?

I have always thought that communion was not part of the original SA because they were ministering to drunks and alcoholics, and didn't want to 'feed the habit'.

 

[chickette]

That doesn't sound right to me. If the Salvation Army were still able to have meeting somewhere, then why could they not have communion wherever they met?

I have always thought that communion was not part of the original SA because they were ministering to drunks and alcoholics, and didn't want to 'feed the habit'.

Yeh, that's always been my understanding too. It's what my parents have told me as well.

 

[something from the fridge]

I have always thought that communion was not part of the original SA because they were ministering to drunks and alcoholics, and didn't want to 'feed the habit'.

communion can be done without the alcohol

 

[elm0]

communion can be done without the alcohol

True, but was that accepted practice back when the SA started?

 

[Warren Peace]

As I just found out, the Salvation Army did away with communion almost immediately after it started up in 1879. I previously reported that the SA did away with communion about 30 or 40 years ago.

Yes, communion can be done without alcohol now, however to answer your question, it was not accepted practice to use grape juice back then. Therefore, they did away with it altogether.

Blessings...

 

[Ave Maria]

We have communion occasionally, normally at easter, and only about once every 2 or 3 years.

My understanding is that we don't focus on the physical symbolism (we also rarely do water baptisms) but focus on the spiritual side of God.

someone correct me if i'm wrong

That's awfully rare isn't it? The Early Church Fathers did it every time they met.

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

I think another thing MAY have been (I'm sure I heard this somewhere), that the SA as a whole decided that it was more important for people to undertake the sacraments as a personal decision, rather than leave it as a 'church tradition'. I think sometimes things like this (ie communion, baptism, etc etc) can become a 'tradition for traditions sake' rather than something done from the heart, so I love the fact that me taking communion is something I personally do, rather than something that is always at church as a traditional thing.

Sasch

 

[Victrixa]

I think sometimes things like this (ie communion, baptism, etc etc) can become a 'tradition for traditions sake' rather than something done from the heart, so I love the fact that me taking communion is something I personally do, rather than something that is always at church as a traditional thing.

But it doesn't have to be a 'tradition for traditions sake'. That's where regular teachings on Holy Communion and Baptism must be done by priests/pastors. People must be brought continually back to reverence and thankfulness (eucharistio = thank you) towards God. As pastors/priests have to continually remind us to repent and live in holiness...

Ummmmm, Sascha, I do not wish to offend you, but this avatar of yours really bothers me. It is representative of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a most holy devotion.... It's like a mockery of the Sacred Heart.... ((((runs away and hides)))))

 

[Victrixa]

That's awfully rare isn't it? The Early Church Fathers did it every time they met.

Yeah, the first Christians shared the Lord's Supper every time they met (this includes the ECFs). The Lord's Supper was also a meal though... Salvationists hold many many agape meals. I'll stop there, though.

(((Leaves in peace from this post)))

 

[Victrixa]

Okay, for a question now: Well part of the answer to my question is in this thread... So, Salvationists can practice communion and baptism now? (Just curious!)

I understand the Salvationist stand (hey, I'm an ex-Salvationist!), my convictions have just changed and I have a problem with not celebrating communion and baptism in our context... hehe!

((((okay, now, after all these posts of mine, you can all throw tomatoes at me!)))))

No, but I'm very serious in my question here.... I really need to know. Seriously.

I love you all in Christ ,

Caroline